Football
Belichick, Steve
Steve Belichick
- Title:
- Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
- Phone:
- 919-966-2575
Steve Belichick enters year one as the Tar Heels’ defensive coordinator during the 2025 season.
Belichick arrives in Chapel Hill after spending the 2024 campaign in the same role at the University of Washington.
Belichick, who played four seasons of lacrosse at Rutgers before joining the football team as a long snapper, was the Patriots' defensive play caller for the last four years (2020-23), while also coaching linebackers (2022-23) and outside linebackers (2020-21). He'd previously worked with New England's defensive backs (2019) and safeties (2016-18) after having worked four years (2012-15) as a defensive assistant.
During his time on the Patriots staff, Belichick was a part of five Super Bowls, with three victories, in 2015, 2017 and 2019.
In 2023, Belichick helped lead a defense that ranked third in the NFL in opponent yards per play (4.7) and sixth in total defense, allowing 301.6 yards per game. The Pats also ranked No. 3 in rushing defense and 10th in passing defense.
New England's defense was also stout in the previous years with Belichick calling the plays, ranking No. 5 in opponent yards per play in 2022, and No. 10 in that same category in 2021.
In 2021 and 2022, Patriots linebacker Matthew Judon reached career highs for sacks in back-to-back seasons, notching 12.5 sacks in 2021 and 15.5 in 2022, while setting a club record with 102.5 sack yards in '22. Judon earned four straight Pro Bowl selections (2019-22). Belichick also coached Josh Uche to 1.5 sacks in 2022
In 2019, Belichick led a secondary that helped the Patriots lead the NFL in total defense and scoring defense, while cornerback Stephon Gilmore was named Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
In 2018, he helped coach a defense that held the Rams to a record-low three points in the Super Bowl.
Belichick's father, Bill, has established one of the most successful coaching careers in American football history, leading the Patriots to six Super Bowl victories in a 24-year run as New England's head coach. Steve's grandfather, also named Steve Belichick, played football at Case Western and for the Detroit Lions, and was a long-time assistant college football coach, most notably at Navy, where he spent a remarkable 34 seasons (1956-89).
Belichick was a four-year letterman on the Rutgers men's lacrosse team (2008-11) before joining the football program in the fall of 2011, when he earned a letter as a long snapper. Belichick earned his degree in criminal justice.
Belichick’s Year-by-Year Coaching History
2012-2015: New England Patriots (Defensive Assistant)
2016-2018: New England Patriots (Safeties Coach)
2019: New England Patriots (Defensive Backs Coach)
2020-2023: New England Patriots (Outside Linebackers Coach)
2024: Washington (Defensive Coordinator)
2025-Present: North Carolina (Defensive Coordinator)
Belichick arrives in Chapel Hill after spending the 2024 campaign in the same role at the University of Washington.
Belichick, who played four seasons of lacrosse at Rutgers before joining the football team as a long snapper, was the Patriots' defensive play caller for the last four years (2020-23), while also coaching linebackers (2022-23) and outside linebackers (2020-21). He'd previously worked with New England's defensive backs (2019) and safeties (2016-18) after having worked four years (2012-15) as a defensive assistant.
During his time on the Patriots staff, Belichick was a part of five Super Bowls, with three victories, in 2015, 2017 and 2019.
In 2023, Belichick helped lead a defense that ranked third in the NFL in opponent yards per play (4.7) and sixth in total defense, allowing 301.6 yards per game. The Pats also ranked No. 3 in rushing defense and 10th in passing defense.
New England's defense was also stout in the previous years with Belichick calling the plays, ranking No. 5 in opponent yards per play in 2022, and No. 10 in that same category in 2021.
In 2021 and 2022, Patriots linebacker Matthew Judon reached career highs for sacks in back-to-back seasons, notching 12.5 sacks in 2021 and 15.5 in 2022, while setting a club record with 102.5 sack yards in '22. Judon earned four straight Pro Bowl selections (2019-22). Belichick also coached Josh Uche to 1.5 sacks in 2022
In 2019, Belichick led a secondary that helped the Patriots lead the NFL in total defense and scoring defense, while cornerback Stephon Gilmore was named Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
In 2018, he helped coach a defense that held the Rams to a record-low three points in the Super Bowl.
Belichick's father, Bill, has established one of the most successful coaching careers in American football history, leading the Patriots to six Super Bowl victories in a 24-year run as New England's head coach. Steve's grandfather, also named Steve Belichick, played football at Case Western and for the Detroit Lions, and was a long-time assistant college football coach, most notably at Navy, where he spent a remarkable 34 seasons (1956-89).
Belichick was a four-year letterman on the Rutgers men's lacrosse team (2008-11) before joining the football program in the fall of 2011, when he earned a letter as a long snapper. Belichick earned his degree in criminal justice.
Belichick’s Year-by-Year Coaching History
2012-2015: New England Patriots (Defensive Assistant)
2016-2018: New England Patriots (Safeties Coach)
2019: New England Patriots (Defensive Backs Coach)
2020-2023: New England Patriots (Outside Linebackers Coach)
2024: Washington (Defensive Coordinator)
2025-Present: North Carolina (Defensive Coordinator)
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